Spraying devices for the treatment of textiles



March 6, 1962 F. BELLMANN ET AL SPRAYING DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILES 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed March 18, 1959 FIG.

INVENI'O/PS I March 6, 1962 F. BELLMANN ET AL 3,023,598

SPRAYING DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT 0F TEXTILES Filed March 18, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

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SPRAYING DEVICES FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 18, 1959 FIG. 4

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Filed Mar. 18, 1959, Ser. No. 800,270 Claims priority, application Germany Mar. 26, 1958 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-2ll5) This invention relates to treating of textile products with liquids, and more particular to such treating of textile products irregular shaped to fit the human body. From a more limited angle this invention relates to treating of hosiery.

Wet treatment of textile products often involves spraying thereof with various liquids.

It is one object of this invention to provide improved spray treating means for textile products, particularly for hosiery.

Another object of the invention is to provide spray means adapted to distribute sprays of liquids more appropriately, more evenly and more completely upon the surface of hosiery than the prior art spray means intended for this particular purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide spray means for the treatment of relatively large quantities of hosiery that are conducive to a complete and even wetting of the hosiery.

Another object of this invention is to provide spray means for the treatment of hosiery which are intergrated with improved oscillatory or vibratory means tending to establish more even or homogenous, highly ditfused sprays of liquid which lend themselves particularly Well to the treatment of hosiery mounted on conventional hosiery supports.

Another object of the invention is to provide spray means adapted to individually treat hosiery on supports which form large groups and hence involve large quantities of hosiery.

According to this invention a generally flat support is provided that has a curved outline which conforms with the irregular shape of a textile product adapted to fit the human body, and said support is operatively associated with a system of interconnected pipes adapted to be supplied with liquids under pressure the constituent pipes of that system being angularly related and arranged to generally conform with the curved outline of said support, and said system of pipes is situated sub- 'stantially in the plane of said support and provided with spray nozzle means arranged on said system of pipes to produce a spray conforming substantially with said outline of said support and enveloping a textile prod uct mounted on said support.

Supports for treating hosiery conform generally with the profile of a human foot or leg and comprise a shinportion, a sole-portion and a calf-portion. A substantially flat support of this shape is operatively associated with a system of interconnected pipes adapted to be supplied with liquids under pressure, and arranged to generally conform with the profile of a human foot and leg, and provided-with spray nozzle means situated substantially in the plane of said support and arranged on said system to produce a plurality of angularly displaced sprays impinging upon said profile of said shin-portion, said sole-portion and said calf-portion of said support.

The invention and additional objects and advantages thereof will appear more clearly from the ensuing particular description of several embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a section along 11 of FIG. 2, or along 1-1 of FIG. 3, both sections being identical;

FIG. 2 is a section along 2-2 of FIG. 1 and a top plan view of a first structure embodying the invention wherein spaced hosiery supports are arranged in form of a pair of parallel stacks for the purpose of Wet or spray treating hosiery which is mounted on the supports;

FIG. 3 is a section along 3-3 of FIG. 1 and a top plan view of another structure embodying the invention wherein spaced hosiery supports are angularly displaced and arranged in radial planes of a cylindrical treating space; and

FIG. 4 is'a longitudinal section on a larger scale of a detail shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, this figure shows a pair of substantially flat hosiery supports indicated by reference character 11 each supporting a piece of hosiery. Supports 11 conform generally with the profile of a human foot and leg and are arranged in inverted vertical positions with the toe-portions at a higher level than the calf-portions. The two supports 11 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane (at right angles to the plane of the paper on which FIG. 1 is drawn) with the toe-portions relatively remote and the calf-portions adjacent to said vertical plane.

The device further comprises a manifold 1 having a lateral flange portion 2 adapted to connect a fluid-carrying pipe (not shown) to manifold 1. The lower portion of manifold 1 is internally screw-threaded and supports the externally screw threaded upper portion of a fluid coupling 3. Fluid coupling 3 is adapted to be flexed at right angles to the axis thereof and comprises a horizontal flange portion 4 adapted to connect coupling 3 to one or more systems of pipes which will be described below more in detail. Manifold 1 and fluid coupling 3 are arranged in coaxial relation, and the rotatable shaft 1a is arranged in coaxial relation to, inside of, manifold 1 and fluid coupling 3. The upper end of shaft 1a is provided with a drive gear 19 to impart a rotary motion to shaft 1a. Stulfing box 1b is arranged on the upper end of manifold 1 and receives shaft 1a. It precludes the escape of liquids admitted to manifold 1 at the upper end thereof. Such liquids are caused to flow downwardly into fluid coupling 3 and then into a system, or into systems, of pipes that are arranged below fluid coupling 3. The lower end of shaft 1a is provided with an eccentric cam means 18 adapted to cooperate with the system, or systems, of pipes supplied with liquid through fluid coupling 3, and supported by, and depending from, fluid coupling 3, whereby an oscillatory motion is imparted to said system, or systems, of pipes.

Immediately below a fluid coupling 3 a substantially cylindrical chamber 5 is formed by appropriate chamberforming means. Chamber 5 is connected to coupling 3 and supplied with liquid therefrom. Chamber 5 houses a coaxial hub-like member 16 adapted to be engaged by eccentric cam 18 and thereby caused to oscillate or vibrate at a frequency depending upon the number of revolutions of driving shaft 1a. Two horizontal lengths of pipe 6 are connected to chamber 5, each having an axially outer end 7 bent downwardly and provided with spray nozzle means adapted to spray the shin-portions and the ankle portionsof forms or hosiery supports 11. The spray nozzle 8 at the left of FIG. 1 is fixed whereas the spray nozzle 9 a the right of FIG. 1 may be telescoped upwardly or downwardly by means of extension tube It). Springs 15 attached to pipes 6 adjacent the degree bends formed therein provide a support of pipes 6 in addition to the support provided by the flange 4 of flexible fluid coupling 3. The spring suspension of tubes 6 provides a greater freedom of motion at the points thereof to which springs 15 are attached than prevails at the points of tubes 6 connected to chamber 5. The spray nozzles 8' arranged immediately adjacent to the bends in pipes 6 are adapted to directly spray the toe-portions of forms or supports 11. A length of pipe 13 connected to chamber is arranged vertically in coaxial relation with shaft 1a. Pipe 13 supports a vertical length of pipe 12 provided with two lateral spray nozzle means 8" and adapted to be telescoped relative to pipe 13 and clamped in any desired relative position of pipes 13 and 12. In a similar fashion pipe 13' forming a vertical extension of pipe 12 supports a vertical length of pipe ending at the lower end thereof in a spray nozzle means 8a that may be clamped in any desired position by appropriate clamping means. It is thus apparent that the spray pipe means comprise a central vertical leg whose length is adjustable to conform to the length of any particular type of hosiery which is to be fluid-treated. One point of each length of pipes 6 is connected by a slanting pipe 14 to a point of vertical pipe 13. Each length of slanting pipes 14 is provided with three nozzle means 8b, one adapted to mainly spray the toe-portions, one adapted to mainly spray the sole-portions and heel-portions and one adapted to mainly spray the angle-portions and calf-portions of the hosiery mounted on forms or supports 11. The direction of the above referred to angularly displaced sprays has been indicated by arrows in FIG. 1.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the system of pipes 7, 6, 13, 12, 13 and 14 is substantially in the shape of an inverted L and conforms closely with the profile of a human foot and leg, and hence with the profile of forms or supports 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, this figure shows a pair of stacks S each formed of spaced supports 11 for hosiery arranged in parallel planes. The supports 11 shown in FIG. 2 in top plan view are identical with those shown in FIG. 1 in side elevation. Each support 11 therefore conforms generally with the profile of a human foot and leg and is arranged in inverted vertical position with the toe-portion at a higher level than the calf-portion thereof. Each stack S includes supports arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane andas clearly shown in FIG. 1-with the toe-portions thereof relatively remote from, and with calf-portions thereof adjacent to, said vertical plane. The structure of FIG. 2 comprises a plurality of systems of interconnected pipes located in planes parallel to supports or forms 11, and generally designated in FIG. 2 by reference character R. Each system R of pipes is substantially identical to the system of pipes 7, 6, 13, 12, 13' and 14 shown and described in connection with FIG. 1, and substantially conforming with the profile of a human foot and leg. The two outer systems R are connected by means of pipes 6' to chamber 5, whereby pipes 6 of the inner system R are directly connected to chamber 5. A plurality of straight tubes 8 extends in a direction longitudinally of stacks S, and is connected to the three systems of tubes R, and provided with nozzle means adapted to spray all the forms 11 in both stacks S in the way indicated in FIG. 1. Chamber 5 shown in FIG. 2 is connected to the flexible fiuid coupling 3 shown in FIG. 1 and described in connection with this figure. Parts 1, 3 and 5 are located in a plane between stacks S and approximately in the middle between the ends of stocks S.

Referring now to FIG. 3, this figure shows a group of spaced angularly displaced hosiery supports arranged in radial planes of a cylindrical treating space indicated by the reference character T. The supports 11 shown in FIG. 3 in top plan view are identical with those shown in FIG. 1 in side elevation. Each support conforms generally with the profile of a human foot and leg and is arranged in inverted vertical position with the toeportion at a higher level than the calf-portion thereof. It will be apparent from FIG. 3 that the supports 11 may be grouped in symmetrical pairs. Reference character R has been applied to indicate each of a pair of systems of pipes each comprising several lengths of pipe arranged to generally conform with the shape of one symmetrical pair of supports 11. Each system R of pipes is substantially identical with the system of pipes 7, 6, 13, 12, 13' and 14 described in detail in connection with FIG. 1. Systems R are arranged in a pair of planes at right angles to each other, intersecting along a line coextensive with the axis of cylindrical space T. The structure of FIG. 3 further comprises a plurality of circular tubes 8' arranged in coaxial relation to the above axis and connected to the two systems R of pipes and provided with nozzle means adapted to produce fluid sprays having the geometrical configuration indicated in FIG. 1. Chamber 5 shown in FIG. 3 is connected by flexible fluid coupling 3 to manifold 1, both shown in FIG. 1 and described in connection therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 4, numeral 10 has been applied to indicate a fixed length of pipe into which a movable length of pipe 10a is inserted. The length of pipe 10a is provided with a groove 1% into which an O-ring, or a similar circular seal, is inserted. The two portions 10 and 10a may be maintained in any desired position by means of clamping screw 10d secured to part It] and exerting transverse pressure upon part 10a.

Having disclosed several preferred embodiments of our invention, it is desired that the same be not limited to the particular structure disclosed. It will be obvious to any person skilled in the art that many modifications and changes may be made without departing from the broad spirit and scope of our invention.

We claim as our invention:

1. An arrangement for treating hosiery with liquids comprising a pair of parallel stacks each formed of spaced supports for hosiery arranged in parallel planes, each of said supports generally conforming with the profile of a human foot and leg and being arranged in inverted vertical position with the toe-portion at a higher level than the calf-portion thereof, said pair of stacks including pairs of supports arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane; a vertical manifold arranged in the space between said pair of stacks at a point situated between the ends thereof; system of inter-connected pipes located in planes parallel to said supports and each comprising several lengths of pipe arranged to generally conform with the shape of a symmetrical pair of said supports; a plurality of straight pipes extending in a direction longitudinally of said pair of stacks connected to said systems of pipes and provided with spray nozzle means; a tubular fluid coupling adapted to be flexed at right angles to the axis thereof arranged coaxially with respect to said manifold for supplying liquids from said manifold to said systems of pipes and for supporting said systems of pipes; a rotatable shaft arranged coaxially inside said manifold and inside said fluid coupling; a stutfing box on the upper end of said manifold receiving said shaft; an eccentric cam means on the lower end of said shaft adapted to cooperate with said systems of pipes to impart joint oscillatory motion to said systems of pipes; and spring means providing support for said systems of pipes in addition to the support provided by said fluid coupling, said spring means being arranged to provide support for said systems of pipes at points thereof remote from said fluid coupling.

2. An arrangement for treating hosiery with fluids comprising spaced angularly displaced supports for hosiery arranged in radial planes of a cylindrical treating space, each of said plurality of supports generally conforming with the profile of a human foot and leg and each being arranged in inverted vertical position with the toe-position at a higher level than the calf-position thereof; a vertical manifold arranged in coaxial relation with the axis of said cylindrical space; a pair of systems of interconnected pipes each comprising several lengths of pipe arranged to generally conform with the shape of one symmetrical pair of said supports, each of said pair of systems of pipes being arranged in one of a pair of planes at right angles to each other intersecting along a line coextensive with said axis of said cylindrical space; a plurality of circular pipes arranged in coaxial relation to said axis connected to said pair of systems of pipes and provided with spray nozzle means; a tubular fluid coupling adapted to be flexed at right angles to the axis thereof arranged coaxially with respect to said manifold for supplying liquids from said manifold to said pair of systems of pipes; a rotatable shaft arranged coaxially inside said manifold and inside said fluid coupling; a stuffing box on the upper end of said manifold receiving said shaft; an eccentric cam means on the lower end of said shaft adapted to cooperate with said pair of systems of pipes to impart a joint oscillatory motion to said pair of systems of pipes; and spring means providing support for said pair of systems of pipes in addition to the support provided by said fluid coupling, said spring means being arranged to provide support for said pair of systems of pipes at points thereof remote from said fluid coupling.

3. An arrangement for treating textile products With liquids comprising a plurality of substantially flat supports generally conforming with the irregular shape of a textile product adapted to fit the human body, said plurality of supports being arranged in spaced relation to form a stack, a plurality of substantially flat systems of pipes each generally conforming with the outline of one of said plurality of supports, said plurality of systems of pipes being arranged in spaced relation from and partly enveloping said stack, means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said plurality of systems of pipes, a plurality of nozzle means on each of said plurality of systems of pipes having orifices substantially juxtaposed to the outlines of said plurality of supports, and means for causing oscillatory motions of said plurality of systems of pipes relative to said stack.

4. An arrangement as specified in claim 3 wherein said plurality of supports and said plurality of systems of pipes are arranged in substantially parallel planes and wherein the number of said systems of pipes is less than the number of said supports.

5. An arrangement as specified in claim 3 wherein said plurality of supports and said plurality of systems of pipes are arranged in substantially radial planes and wherein the number of said systems of pipes is less than the number of said supports.

6. An arrangement for treating hosiery with liquids comprising a plurality of fiat supports generally conforming with the shape of a human leg and foot arranged in inverted positions with the foot portions above the calf portions thereof, pairs of said supports being arranged in spaced common planes to form a stack of spaced pairs of supports, each of said pairs being arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry at right angles to said common planes and each of said pairs having said calf portions thereof arranged immediately adjacent said plane of symmetry, a plurality of substantially flat systems of pipes each being generally T-shaped and each including a vertical portion situated in said plane of symmetry, said plurality of systems of pipes being arranged in spaced relation to form a stack of systems of pipes having a wider spacing than contiguous common planes of said pairs of supports, means for supplying a liquid to said plurality of systems of pipes, a plurality of nozzle means on each of said plurality of systems of pipes having orifices substantially juxtaposed to said stack of pairs of supports, and means for causing joint oscillatory moiii) tions of said plurality of systems of pipes relative to said stack of pairs of supports.

7. An arrangement for treating hosiery with liquids comprising a plurality of pairs of substantially flat supports for hosiery, each of said pairs being arranged in a common plane in spaced relation from the others of said pairs to form a stack formed of spaced pairs of supports, each of said supports generally conforming with the profile of a human foot and leg and being arranged in inverted positions with the toe-portions at a higher level than the calf portions thereof, each of said plurality of pairs of supports being further arranged symmetrically with respect to a vertical plane of symmetry at right angles to said common plane with the toe portions relatively remote and the calf portions adjacent said plane of symmetry, a plurality of substantially flat spaced systems of pipes adapted to be supplied with liquids under pressure and having a wider spacing than contiguous pairs of said supports, each of said plurality of systems of pipes comprising a vertical length arranged in said plane of symmetry and a horizontal length arranged above said vertical length, means for admitting liquids to said plurality of systems of pipes, a plurality of spray nozzle means on each of said plurality of systems of pipes having orifices juxtaposed to said plurality of pairs of supports, and means for causing oscillatory motions of said plurality of systems of pipes relative to said plurality of pairs of supports.

8. An arrangement for treating hosiery with liquids comprising a pair of flat supports for hosiery generally conforming with the profile of a human foot and leg arranged in inverted vertical positions with the toe-portions at a higher level than the calf-portions thereof, each of said pair of supports being arranged symmetrically with respect to a first vertical plane with the toe-portions relatively remote and the calf-portions adjacent said vertical plane; a fiat system of interconnected pipes adapted to be supplied with liquids under pressure arranged in a second vertical plane at right angles to said first vertical plane, said system comprising a vertical length of pipe arranged at the line of intersection of said first vertical plane and said second vertical plane and a horizontal length of pipe arranged at right angles to said first vertical plane crosswise with respect to said vertical length of pipe, spray nozzle means on said system of pipes adapted to spray liquids on hosiery mounted on said pair of supports, a manifold arranged above said vertical length of pipe in coaxial relation thereto, a tubular fluid coupling adapted to be flexed at right angles to the axis thereof coaxially arranged with respect to said manifold for supplying liquids from said manifold to said system of pipes and for supporting said system of pipes, a rotatable shaft arranged coaxially inside said manifold and inside said fluid coupling, a stuffing box on the upper end of said manifold receiving said shaft, and eccentric cam means on the lower end of said shaft cooperating with said system of pipes to impart an oscillatory motion to said system of pipes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,698,664 Freeman Jan. 4, 1955 FOREEGN PATENTS 102,030 Sweden July 15, 1941 640,161 Germany Dec. 23, 1936 715,591 Germany Jan. 3, 1942 770,179 Great Britain Mar. 20, 1957 774,797 Great Britain May 15, 1957 974,197 France Sept. 27, 1950 

